UKFT's New Talent Bursary scheme
Internships are often a great way to gain experience and get a foothold in the UK fashion and textile industry, but the reality is that access to opportunities can depend on who you know and whether you can afford to work for free.
That’s why we’re proud to offer the UKFT New Talent internship schemes that remove barriers, foster inclusivity and unlock potential across the UK fashion and textile industry.
The New Talent bursary scheme, developed with the generous support from key livery companies including The Drapers’ Company, The Weavers’ Company and The Haberdashers’ Company, helps fashion and textile students access high-quality internships by providing:
- Financial support: A bursary of £600 per month for up to three months, enabling students to cover living costs while pursuing opportunities away from home.
- Mentoring and networking: Guidance and connections to help students thrive during their placements.
- Inclusive eligibility: The scheme is open to UK-based second-year or sandwich-year students studying design or technical courses, particularly those who would otherwise struggle to afford an internship.
Discover the latest opportunities below…
Weavers X UKFT Bursary Programme
Each year, The Worshipful Company of Weavers and UKFT offers five bursaries to talented students. These bursaries provide £1,800 to fund a 12-week internship during the summer break, offering hands-on experience and insight into the textile industry. The internship can support part of a longer industry placement or placement year, or be split across multiple placements with different businesses or organisations.
Applications are open annually from March to the end of June.
Find out more about the application process here.
Drapers’ x UKFT Bursary Programme
UKFT and The Drapers’ Company worked together to support fashion and textile students across the UK to achieve good quality internships through the Drapers’ x UKFT Bursary Programme.
This programme is currently closed.
Financial support from The Drapers’ Company enabled ten students annually to take up internship opportunities they may otherwise struggle to afford.
UKFT offered mentoring, guidance, and networking opportunities to each student to ensure their internships are safe, enjoyable and valuable.
How it works
10 placements were available for individuals to experience 12-week internships across a range of UK fashion and textile businesses.
The bursaries are intended to benefit students who might otherwise struggle to support themselves to take up an internship away from home. The bursary comprises of £600 per month for a maximum of three months to support living expenses.
The bursary was available to students who:
- Are studying a design and/or technical course in fashion and textiles
- Are UK residents
- Would otherwise financially struggle to take up a placement opportunity
- Have or will be securing their own placement(s)
- Will be seeking a UK based placement
- Are studying in their second year or sandwich year
Get involved
The programme was open to universities, who will be asked to put forward the student who they feel will most benefit from the internship opportunity. We cannot accept applications directly from students. Universities must be Education Partners to be included in the programme.
For more information or if you would like your university to be involved please contact info@ukft.org.
“Anila and her team at The British Alpaca Fashion Company are amazing, teaching me so much and sharing information without any limits.”
Bridget Bimha at The British Alpaca Fashion Company
“My internship is so much fun and I’m having the best time! It’s been better than my expectations. I’ve been doing a bit of everything, sewing experience on spare garments, packing orders, cutting.”
Olivia Neighbour at Aesthetic Laundry
“I am learning so much during my internship with AGR knitwear. I was drawn to the brand because of their colourful, punk, fun aesthetic which is changing people’s expectations of knitwear.”
Scar Kennedy at AGR Knitwear
“My internship has been amazing! It was such amazing experience for me where I’ve met so many different and lovely people. It has opened lots of doors for me.”
Kira Albiston at SOBOYE
“I can now confidently be left to complete tasks on my own, such as pattern cutting orders and constructing garments, while knowing someone is always about to answer any questions I may have.”
Lydia Matthews at Calm Amongst The Chaos
“I have been doing work in many parts of the business including returns, packaging, posting, labelling, making technical drawings for new designs and also working on new designs for the swimsuits.”
Millie Jenkinson at Davy J
“Makers HQ let me explore all and any opportunities that I was interested in and wanted. I am learning so much, experiencing the industry, finding my way and what I would like to do after graduating.”
Deniz Nikol at Makers HQ
“Internships can be a good way to get first-hand industry experience and a route into a career in fashion and textiles but often these are unpaid or offer low wages, which can exclude a lot of talented creative people as they are starting out. This programme aims to open up these opportunities to a wider pool of people and make sure that the experiences are as valuable as can be.”
Elliot Barlow, UKFT
“The Drapers Company are delighted that UKFT are helping with our bursary programme to support fashion students through their work internships. These internships are unpaid and often some distance from home so many students find it difficult to pay for travel or rent etc. The Drapers have helped Leeds students for more than six years and we know that they find this work experience invaluable. We are delighted that with UKFT’s assistance we can extend this programme to more colleges and more students.”
The Textile Working Group, The Drapers’ Company
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